The history of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

The history of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Introduction

In the 1950s, a very special star rose in Stuttgart: the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class was born. It all began with motor racing sports. With its successes in international competitions, in 1952 the 300 SL competition sports car (W 194 series, “SL” stands for “Super-Light”), became the initial spark for the start of two fascinating production sports cars – the “Gullwing” coupé and the roadster: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and 190 SL laid the foundation for the tradition of this legendary sports car family in the year 1954.

… Continue Reading

SLK 250 CDI Roadster with Powerdiesel

SLK 250 CDI: Roadster with Powerdiesel

The introduction of the new SLK 250 CDI by Mercedes-Benz not only marks the continuation of the company’s unique diesel engine heritage, but also serves to counter in impressive style the common misconception that diesel engines and sports cars are incompatible.

… Continue Reading

The new Roadster SLK 250 CDI

The new SLK 250 CDI

Sports car performance with the fuel economy of a sub-compact.

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is offering the sporty SLK Roadster with a diesel engine. The 150 kW (204 hp) four-cylinder power unit puts the two-seater at the top of its class in numerous respects. With a fuel consumption of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres, it is the most economical roadster in its segment. Thanks to its enormous torque of 500 newton metres it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, and delivers a top figure for acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h. The result is superior driving enjoyment both on winding country roads and on long motorway stretches. Like the other models in the latest SLK family, which was presented in January this year, it combines lively sportiness with high-quality appointments and excellent comfort.

… Continue Reading

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Development of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster.

Revelation: stable even without gullwings

After the gullwing version, the open-top variant is the second car to be independently developed by AMG. The Coupé and Roadster concepts were created in parallel – which brought decisive advantages during the development process. During this approx. 3-year period for the SLS AMG Roadster, the engineers devoted particular attention to the aspects of bodyshell rigidity, driving dynamics, the soft top and NVH.

… Continue Reading

50 years of automatic transmissions from Mercedes-Benz

50 years of automatic transmissions from Mercedes-Benz

Premiere 1961 in the W 111 and W 112 model series

“The ultimate driving experience”, proclaimed the brochure on the first automatic transmission developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz back in 1961. Several years of intensive development work went into the four-speed automatic clutch which was premiered in April 1961 as an optional extra for the 220 SEb model of the 111 series. The automatic transmission even featured as standard in the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE which was presented in August 1961. This opened a special chapter in the brand’s success story running throug 125 years of the automobile.

… Continue Reading